Drawing contest of Awesome kids

Feast PICC held a drawing contest yesterday for kids, teens and adults, with a theme: 'Nativity in my heart.' As a part of registration, I was excited to those who participated on that contest. During the registration, every kids were geared up with their drawing materials such as oil pastel, crayola, pencils, pentel pen,etc. There were few who forgot it, but nonetheless, other participants were able to lend it to them. I saw how these kids looked calm along with their parents. We're giving them a little instructions on the do's and don'ts. Some children were telling me that it was their first time to do it so, so apparently it gave me a sense of wonder, 'Maybe this kid would give all his/her best. God bless to him/her.' Then registration was closed at exactly 11am, Bro. Mark finally gave the drawing mechanics and they were given an ample 2 hours time to showcase their masterpiece. Actually the kids were divided into 2 rooms depending on their ages.
I was sometimes going to each of the rooms and as I was observing them, they were truly focus on their craft. I was glad to see how unique these children were. Some were advance when it comes to using a certain technique of drawing. Some were indeed a beginner but eager to unleash his/her creativity. Bro. Mark was excited on the coloring part as he gasped. I for one was excited, too.

On the otherhand, I went to another room to observe other kids as well. Oh my, they were so little but their imagination were big. They weren't aware yet on how their drawings can bless the people who could see it. They were letting their hands give life to the paper, and upon seeing it. I imagined how God draw us into his mind until his mighty hands created us.

Joy was simply the term to describe the children's room as some kids started to put the magnificent colors, funky designs, and heartwarming taglines on their one's lifeless oslo paper. And we waited for minutes, until one kid was finished and the other kids would follow. After that, we'd look upon their drawings and we'd congratulate and give them 'kudos' for a job well done. The media team was so accommodating too that the kids felt that they were indeed appreciated. Afterwards, Bro. Dave would take a picture of this kid along with his drawing. Then, we went to another room to exhibit first their outstanding work.

Some kids weren't done yet with their work, so other kids who were done went first with their parents or with their friends to play along or maybe to have fun in telling their wonderful experience. As the other kids were busy, the media team was also actively sharing the future and possibilities that the kids might have. Like some may become a painter, others might become an advertiser, some might become a world's renowned 'cartoonist.' Like what Sis. Apple have said,' At a young and tender age, they've started to use the 10 hour rule.'

This might be a tiresome day, but I was glad to be a part of this wonderful event. Hopefully, their drawings would be an inspiration of what Christmas will be, because the one who made it was truly the one who understands the real meaning of it.

May God bless us all.=)

7 Quick Tricks for Healthier Habits

Sometimes, just knowing you should be making healthy choices isn’t enough to keep you on the right track. The solution? Trick yourself into doing it. Here’s how:

1. Keep a piece of fruit on your desk.
Make it an extra-shiny apple, or a particularly perfect banana. Even if you don’t usually crave fruit when you’re hungry, when your stomach starts to grumble, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself reaching for that convenient apple instead of the candy bowl.

2. Squeeze mini workouts into your schedule.
No time to go for a run or hit the gym? No problem. Ten-minute intervals of exercise (walking, yoga, running stairs, etc.) whenever you can fit them in throughout the day will still improve your health. In fact, research has shown that four ten-minute exercise sessions is as good for your heart, blood pressure, and weight control as a similar 40-minute unbroken workout.

3. Cross train for quicker results.
If you have trouble sticking to an exercise routine when you don’t see instantaneous results, try mixing it up. All the cardio in the world won’t necessarily give you toned muscles. Add a few strength-training sessions a week to your workout routine for more inspiring mirror checks.
Plus: New Ideas for Home Fitness

4. Don’t aim for perfection.
This goes for your fitness routine as well as your diet. If you beat yourself up about missing a workout or eating a few too many fries, there’s a better chance you’ll become discouraged and give up trying completely. Instead, accept the fact that you’re human and you can’t be perfect all the time. Use your setbacks as motivation to stick with your routine the next time.

5. Don’t deprive yourself completely.
Trying to cut down on carbs, but you can’t imagine lunch without a sandwich? Instead of boycotting bread cold turkey, try cutting down for a limited time instead. Have a sandwich two days a week instead of five, and see how you feel after a month. There’s a good chance you’ll stick with your new program for the long haul.

6. Get on the scale regularly.
There’s no arguing that gaining weight back after slimming down is discouraging. The solution? Weigh yourself more often. Researchers at the Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center in Providence, Rhode Island, found that people who weigh themselves daily are more than 80 percent more likely to keep weight off than those who don’t.

7. Breathe.
Too much stress can sap your energy, which can lead to overeating and skipping workouts. Make it a habit to focus on your breathing throughout the day and you’ll find yourself more relaxed and better able to handle stressful situations. Pause for a few mindful deep breaths every time you hang up the phone, for example, or send an email, or complete a task.

By:  Reader's Digest Editors

On learnings

As I've reading alot of articles, prompts, stories,etc on the net or even the book. I have to manipulate the dictionary, my reasoning, my streams of consciousness, and sometimes my humor. I basically need it, because if not I'll be drawn with a lot of words and I'll be attached with it. But words are very enchanting especially if it's combined and it could produce a wonderful write up..

Though, I know that there are risks such us:

1. Knowing that there's someone better at me in explaining, describing and reasoning.
2. Recognizing that the world is a very big, there are a lot of things to write about.
3. Unhurriedly wanting to publish everything even if it could pre-occupy my mind.

And as a result.....the hell I care? I still write anything I want. It doesn't matter if it won't be known by a large number of people yet. I've been wanting to be known- well who doesn't want to be somebody? I think it's healthy self-love to be ambitious. I'll take the risks. Alot of it. I'll make more mistakes. I'll learn more. I'll grow more. These writings will be known.

Learnings are never ending. There are circling loops, smooth road, humpy route, long travel and STRONG HEART.

Soap bubble

I've noticed a very tiny small bubble bath after taking a bath. As my eyes get magnetized on it, I was wishing it won't be gone easily. So I let it rise and fall. I know it would roam around the bathroom. I enjoyed looking on it as it went to the dipper, my clothes, the faucet. But I was also conscious on the reality that it would dissolve or vanish once it hits the wall or anything that's well built.

As the gravity allows it to do whatever it wants to do.
I was aware of the time that I absorbed myself in observing it.
I knew that the time wasn't wasted because I did it for curiosity.
I love the moment of getting lost in watching unto something ordinary yet lovely.

And my fear with a little acceptance came into reality.
The bubble bumped into the wall.

It was gone.

And I know it won't return anymore. I have to let it pass and watch another beautiful bubbles waking up my senses.

LOVE- The words and inspiration of Mother Teresa

This is from the Archbishop Desmond Tutu's book

' LOVE- The words and inspiration of Mother Teresa'

In Mother Teresa’s Nobel acceptance speech she told a simple story meant to illustrate the work she and her sisters undertook, but which served equally, if unintentionally, to say much about the laureate: “One evening we went out and we picked up four people from the street. And one of them was in a most terrible condition. And I told the Sisters: ‘You take care of the other three; I will take care of this one that looks worse.’ So I did for her all that my love can do. I put her in bed, and there was such a beautiful smile on her face. She took hold of my hand, as she said one word only: ‘Thank you’- and she died.” In this anecdote resides the humanity of the short wrinkled woman with the intense eyes and ready smile called Mother Teresa.

Mike Nicol

Cape Town, 2006   

Mother Teresa’s Words and inspiration

"It is giving that we receive."

"We do not need guns and bombs to bring peace. We need love and compassion."

"Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do, but how much love we put into what we do."

"We learn humility through accepting humiliations cheerfully."

"The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of unwanted, uncared for and deserted by everybody. The greatest evil is the lack of love and charity, the terrible indifference toward one’s neighbor.."

"A smile is beginning of love."

"Do not allow yourself to be disheartened by any failure as long as you have done your best."

"Joy is love- a joyful heart is the normal result of a heart burning with love, for she gives most who gives with joy."

"Only humility will lead us to unity, and unity to peace."

"I do not agree with the big way of doing things. To us what matters is an individual. To get love the person we must come in close contact with him. If we wait till we get the numbers, then we will be lost in the numbers. And we will never be able to show that love and respect for the person."

"Be kind to each other- I prefer you make mistakes in kindness, that that you work miracles in unkindness."

"Joy is strength."

"In these times of development, everybody is in a hurry and everybody’s in a rush, and on the way there are people falling down, who are not able to compete. These are the ones we want to love and serve and take care of."

"Nakedness is not only for piece of cloth. Nakedness is for human dignity, for respect. Homelessness is not only for home made of bricks. Homelessness is being rejected, unwanted, unloved, uncared for, having forgotten what human love is, what human touch is."

"Let us not make mistake- that the hunger is only for a piece of bread. The hunger of today is so much greater: for love- to be wanted, to be loved, to be cared for, and to be somebody."

"We cannot condemn, judge, or speak words that might hurt.. By what right then, can we condemn anyone?"

"Let us be very sincere in our dealings with each other and have the courage to accept each other as we are."

"Humility is truth."

"I beg you with my whole heart to work for, to labor for God’s peace and to be reconciled with one another.. In the short term there may be winners and losers in this war what we all dread, but that never can, nor never will justify the suffering, pain, and loss of life which your weapons will cause.. Please choose the way of peace.. You may win the war but what will the cost be on people who are broken, disabled and lost."

"Love is a fruit always in season, and no limit is set. Everyone can reach this love."

"What you can do, we cannot do, and what we can do, you cannot do, but together we can do something beautiful."

"How do we love? Not in big things, but in small things with great love."

"Peace begins with a smile."

"All words will be useless unless they come from within."

"If all the money that is being spent on finding ways to kill people was used instead to feed them and house them, clothe them and educate them- how beautiful that would be. We are too often afraid of the sacrifices we might have to make. But where there is true love, there is joy and peace."

"I repeat that it is not what we do, but how much love we put into doing it."

"To work without love is slavery."

"We can do no great things-only small things with great love."

"Never let anyone coming to you without coming away better and happier."

"Everybody should see kindness in your face, in your eyes, in your smile, in your warm greeting."

"Intense love does not measure-it just gives."

"We cannot solve all the problems in the world, but let us never bring in the worst problem of all, and that is to destroy love."

"We must never be preoccupied with the future. There is no reason to be so."

"Thoughtfulness is the beginning of great sanctity."

"We know that if we really want to love we must learn to forgive."

"We must never think anyone of us indispensable. "

"We have no time to listen to the poor-often they have to come again and again-walk long distances-sick, tired, in pain-to tell us their want-of their suffering, and we, because we are busy about many things, we have no time to sit at their feet and listen.. To all those who suffer and are lonely-give them always a happy smile-give them not only your ears but also your heart."

"Kindness has converted more people than zeal, science, or eloquence."

"Love the poor. Do you know the poor of your place, of your city? Find them. Maybe they are right in your own family."

"Hunger is not only for a piece of bread. Hunger is for love."

"Works of love are always works of peace."

"We are all capable of good and evil. We are not born bad: everybody has something good inside. Some hide it, some neglect it, but it is there."

END.~~~

Happy Birthday, Ma!

Last June 12, Sunday was my mom’s 48^th birthday. Supposedly, I would write for her prior to her birthday, but I’ve been busy and pre-occupied with so many things. So I postpone in doing so. Now, I have to do this. Not out of pressure but out of outpouring love for her.

My mom is not a super mushy mom, she’s actually a little bit stubborn and sometimes strict mom. She was used to shout to us when things aren’t done immediately. She wakes up very early in the morning because her body clock works that way. When she’s already awake, she’d do her best not to make us awake, because we normally wake up late-there may be times when she’d wanted us to wake up early so she’ll make annoying sounds in doing so.

There are so many funny things about her: She can be very, very cool especially when I’ll seek her attention and we’ll sing together. Eventhough she doesn’t know the song that I’m singing, she’ll still listen and sing with me(mind you her lyrics are most of the time wrong.haha)

Next, when I’m going to share about my day to her. She’ll sometimes listen and along the way she’ll make gossip about special people of her life and sometimes even the non-sense things. She’s also thoughtful because she’d rather let us eat first before her.

She ‘s also reminding us to still use ‘po’ and ‘opo’ once we talk to old people.

She prompt us to pray to the Lord earnestly especially when problem strikes and when blessings rain in our family.

She taught us to love old singers, vintage things and old-fashion way of living.

When we’re having a problem and we’re confuse about the world we live in. we seek her advise and she will always tell us to not to follow the wrong things she’d done with her life.

I saw her eyes light up still when I talk about how beautiful she is, she’d just slightly upward her shoulder and looks at me amazingly and she’’ll say” ‘Of course!’

I love her curly short hair like a flower and her light brown eyes deep like an ocean.

She also loves poor people. She’s actually a giver to them. She’s a good listener and she knows how to connect with people around her. She loves my friends and she sometimes love them more than me..haha

There maybe times of misunderstanding and I’ll show her my stubborn side but in the end of the day. We forgive and forget. We let go and move on, because she loves me more than I love her.

Those are the small things that I appreciate more about her. And last Sunday, everything worked on perfectly for her birthday. It was a simple celebration among us (me, Pao and close friends). After attending The Feast, she got a free ride, treat and movie ticket. She received love, hugs, kisses and smiles. She’s the most special woman on that day, and for almost 12 hours she kept quiet and accepting the gifts of the world to her. I won’t forget that very simple day.:)

She was very happy and seeing her happy multiplies my happiness too.:)))

Again, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mama Mariela! You’re simply the best.:)

 Pao and Mama

Pao, Yani and me

 

Pao, mama, Yani, Mean and me

Pao, mama, Yani, Mean and Anthony

Happy 100th year bday also, NESTLE!

You completed the celebration.=)

Anekdota ni Pao-Pao

Nong isang araw, ang ligalig namin nila mama at Pao sa bahay. Nakaupo lang ako sa sahig habang si Pao ay nakahiga pa sa air-bed naming. Marami kaming pinag-kekwentuhan nong oras na yun. Nag-tatalo kami minsan sa mga simpleng bagay, nagtatawanan kami nang bongga sa mga nakakabaliw na nangyari sa min dati, nag-aalala kami sa mga problemang hinaharap namin ngayon. Pero higit don ang pakikinig lang namin sa mga walang kwenta man o may kwenta naming usapan.

Tapos may nabanggit si Pao tungkol sa madalas kong pag-susulat ng maikling kwento. Sabi nya di nya raw kayang mag-sulat tulad ng ginagawa ko. Minsan naiinis na sya sa kin, kasi tuliro ako sa pag-iisip ng mga kwento. Sabi ko sa kanya, punung-puno kasi ng magagandang kwento yung utak ko. Imbakan ba kumbaga ng bago at lumang kwento. Kwentong nagmumula sa karanasan ko’t sa obserbasyon ko sa mga tao. Minsan naman ang ginagamit ko eh taong malapit o di man sa kin at nagkainteres ako sa storya nya..

Ganito kami mag-usap magkapatid- paliwanag kung paliwanag. May mga pagkakataong para nya kong guro, at estudyante ko sya at kung minsan malambing ako habang kausap ko sya, yung tipong hahaplusin ko pa yung dry hair nya..haha

                 At kapag gumanti sya paninindigan nyang para pa rin syang limang taong gulang kong kapatid. At dahil don, nagawa naming maglakbay sa isang karanasan namin na pag-kasaya-saya. Napag-usapan naming yung unang pagkakataong nagpabunot sya ng ipin.

Unang banat ko pa lang nito,’ O naalala mo ba nong 5 years old ka’t para kang baboy habang binubutan ka ng ipin?’ Di na kami magkamayaw sa pag-halakhak.

Sumagot si Pao nang, ‘ Muntikan ko  na ngang masipa yung buntis kong dentist eh.’

‘ Grabe ka talaga non para kang kinakatay na baboy sa pagwawala’t pag-iyak.’ Tuloy pa rin ang pagtawa namin.

              ‘ Buti nga binilan ako ni Tita Mary ng slurpee non.’ Sagot ni Pao.

Hanggang sa tinulungan na nya kong gawing Ingles yung pag-uusap naming kasi nabanggit ko sa kanyang gusto kong gawan ng storya yun. Natuwa ako sa kanya lalo dahil alam nya ang simple kong kaligayahan.

Pao: When I was 5 years old, I went to my dentist for the very first time. I was really scared of what she’s about to do with my poor tooth. When she started to pull out the ‘broken’ (yes, that’s her term.hehe) tooth, I began to scream like a butchered pig and I almost kick my pregnant dentist. I was crying out loud and my sister and aunt even wanted to hold both my arms and legs to control my unmanageable outburst. Finally, a moment came when my dentist was about to show my ‘broken’ tooth. I slowly ceased in crying and felt the relief when alas’ Auntie Mary grabbed me a slurpee. I was ok, then.

Wohoo! Haha.. Natapos ang kwentuhan naming kasi Showtime na kaya itutuloy ko na lang yung kwento sa isip ko maaaring pag-alis ko ng bahay o habang naliligo ako o basta may oras ako. Hanggang sa susunod na masayang kwentuhan, kapatid ko. Pinasaya nya ko!

Beautiful quotes

Beautiful quotes from The five people you meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

Every life has one true-love snap shot." -pg.9

"But the running boy is inside everyman, no matter how old he gets." -pg.29

"People often belittle the place they were born." -pg.34

"But scenery without solace is meaningless." -pg.35

"When you are an outcast, even a tossed stone can be cherished." -pg.42

"Did you ever wonder? Why people gather when others die? Why people feel they should? It's because the human spirit knows, deep down, that all lives intersect." -pg.48

"Birth and death are a part of a whole. It is why we are drawn to babies... And to funerals. -pg.49

"That's what heaven is. You get to make sense of your yesterdays." -pg.92

"That's the thing. Sometimes when you sacrifice something precious, you're not really losing it. You're just passing it on to someone else." -pg.94
Beautiful quotes from The 5 people you meet in heaven- Mitch Albom

"All parents damage their children." -pg.104

"You see this face, these wrinkles? I earned ever one of them." -pg.123

"Parents rarely let go of their children, so children let go of them." -pg.126

"Which is worse when left unexplained: a life, or a death?" -pg.140

"Learn this from me. Holding anger is a poison. It eats you from inside. We think that hating is a weapon that attacks the person who harmed us. But hatred is a curved blade. And the harm we do, we do to ourselves." -pg.141

"People say they "find" love, as if it were an object hidden by a rock. But love takes many forms, and it is never the same for any man and woman. What people find is a certain love." -pg.155

"Love, like rain, can nourish from above, drench couples with a soaking joy. But sometimes, under the angry heat of life, love dries on the surface and must nourish from below, tending to it's roots, keeping itself alive." -pg.164

"Lost love is still love, Eddie. It takes a different form, that's all. (Memory)" -pg.173

"Life has to end, love doesn't." -pg.173

"Silence is worse when you know it wont be broken..." -pg.179

"It's never hard to act ordinary if you feel ordinary, and the paleness of surrender becomes the color of Eddie's days." -pg.183

"...each affects the other and the other affects the next, and the world is full of stories, but the stories are all one." -pg.196

                                                              (reblog from:                                                                http://lavinassillystories.blogspot.com/2009/04/quotes-from-five-people-you-meet-in.html)

Perfect love story

 Love is patient. Everytime I fall short on my sins, you patiently look into my heart until I ask for forgiveness, repent and to sin no more; love is kind. When you gave me a very kind family and friends who love and support me even if I’m sometimes unloving; It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Yours is confident, humble and gentle just like a voice of my favorite student who always made my day; It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Whenever I feel like I’m going to burst into anger and would dishonor my brother and sister, I’d just pray instead and pour to you my negative outburst. You asked me to shake it off, until I become better, normal and healthy again. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. The bible and its scripture is the best tool to defeat the devil. It is your words that wash away all fears and worries. I’m grateful for the Feast and my brothers and sisters there; It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Thank you for the mantle of your protection against my enemies, and also for asking me to surrender my future and dreams into your hand, because you have a greater plan for my life and it’s to make me prosperous with the use of my talents and capabilities. And lastly some of my friends gave a remark that I’m always doing my best and that is my gift to you.

  Love never fails. Your love for me soars high. It strengthens me and sends me to a beautiful place wherein your love would be shown and appeared. :)

(1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Wonderful surprise

“As long as I’m your friend, I’ll never leave you in this moment.” said Louise to her bestfriend, Annie who was pregnant.

“Thank you, I know you won’t do that to me.” answered Annie with tears in the corner of her eyes.

They hugged each other with the God given news that made them realize how things would go differently once Annie would enter into the motherhood. Their worries would deepen of course. But the power of trust, faith and love will wash away all of these. The baby inside Annie’s womb will be a happy and healthy baby. It would taste the best food, care, and nutrition. The 2 bestfriends just need to accept each other’s fate. It will happen in His time. And now is His time.=)

“You have to love and sing to the baby now.” said Louise to Annie.

“Ok. What song should I sing for him/her.” Annie replied excitedly.

“I will be here.”  Louise answered back

"I will be here, when you feel like being quiet, when you need to speak your mind. I will listen and I will be here to watch you grow in beauty and tell you all the things you are to me. I will be here." Annie sang it instantly.

She felt that the baby responded well. She felt good about it. Starting that day, she'd sing something good for her baby. She'd sing praises to the Heavens for a wonderful treasure. She's the most blessed woman in the world.

Fairy tale

         Maria Emilia Voss, a pilgrim to Santiago, tells the following story.

In ancient China, around the year 250BC, a certain prince of the region of Thing-Zda was about to be crowned emperor; however, according to the law, he first had to get married.

Since this meant choosing the future empress, the prince needed to find a young woman whom he could trust absolutely. On the advise of a wise man, he decided to summon all the young women of the region in order to find the most worthy candidate.

An old lady got home, she told her daughter and was horrified to learn that she intended going to the palace.

The old lady was desperate.

“But, daughter, what on earth will you do there? All the richest and most beautiful girls from the court will be present. It’s a ridiculous idea! I know you must be suffering, but don’t turn that suffering into madness.”

And the daughter replied:

“My dear mother, I am not suffering and I certainly haven’t gone mad. I know I won’t be chosen, but it’s my one chance to spend at least a few moments close to the prince, and that makes me happy, even though I know that a quite different fate awaits me.”

That night, when the young woman reached the palace, all the most beautiful girls were indeed there, wearing the most beautiful clothes and the most beautiful jewelry, and prepared to do anything to seize the opportunity on offer.

Surrounded by the members of his court, the prince announced a challenge.

“ I will give each of you a seed. In six months’ time, the young woman who brings me the loveliest flower will be the future empress of China.”

The girl took her seed and planted it in a pot, and since she was not very skilled in the art of gardening, she prepared the soil with great patience and tenderness, for she believed that if the flowers grew as large as her love, then she need not worry about the results.

Three months passed and no shoots had appeared. The young woman tried everything; she consulted farmers and peasants, who sowed her the most varied methods of cultivation, but all to no avail. Each day she felt that her dream had moved farther off, although her love was as alive as ever.

At last, the six months were up, and still nothing had grown in her pot. Eventhough she had nothing to show, she knew how much effort and dedication she had put in during that time, and so she told her mother that she would go back to the palace on the agreed date and at the agreed hour. Inside, she knew that this would be her last meeting with her true love, and she would not have missed it for the world.

The day of the audience arrived. The girl appeared with her plantless pot, and saw that all the other candidates had achieved wonderful results: each girl bore a flower lovelier than the last, in the most varied forms and colours.

Finally, the longed-for moment came. The prince entered and he studied each of the candidates with great care and attention. Having inspected them all, he announced the result and chose the servant’s daughter as his new wife.

All the other girls present began to protest, saying that he had chosen the only one of them who had failed to grow anything at all.

Then the prince calmly explained the reaoning behind the challenge.

“This young woman was the only one who cultivated the flower that made her worthy of becoming the empress: the flower of honesty. All the seeds I handed out were sterile, and nothing could ever have grown from them.”

(Source: Like the Flowing River-Paulo Coelho)

Journey To The Past

Heart, don't fail me now!
Courage, don't desert me!
Don't turnback
Now that we're here
People always say
Life is full of choices
No one ever mentions fear!
Or how a road can seem so long
How the world can seem so vast
Courage see me through
Heart I'm trusting you
On this journey...to the past


Somewhere down this road
I know someone's waiting
Years of dreams
Just can't be wrong
Arms will open wide
I'll be safe and wanted
Fin'lly home where I belong
Well, starting here, my life begins
Starting now, I'm learning fast
Courage see me through
Heart I'm trusting you
On this journey...to the past


Heart don't fail me now!
Courage don't desert me!


Home, Love, Family
There was once a time
I must have had them too
Home, Love, Family
I will never be complete
Until I find you...


One step at a time
One hope, then another
Who knows where
This road may go-
Back to who i was
On to find my future
Things my heartstill
Needs to know
Yes, let this be a sign!
Let, this road be mine!
Let it lead me to my past
Courage see me through
Heart I'm trusting you
To bring me home...
At last!
At Last!

This may seem backward. But ironically as it may seem people look at their pasts-whether ugly or beautiful one. Everyone has his/her shared story of her past. We journey backward, yet we returned at the present moment with a WONDERFUL LESSON OF YESTERDAY’S OLD SCARS.

If people would ask how my past was. I’ll tell you that it was colorful. I had a bank of stories in my mind when I was a kid. I was a combination of an active and obedient student-ask my mom about it. Haha.. Of course, I was just a normal tall kid who played with neighbors and classmates, who was scolded by my parents-btw, I’m a product of a broken family so I lived with my mom,younger sister, 2 aunts and I had a puppy crushes too. I was very close with my aunt because my mom was very close with my younger sister. But as I can see now, it doesn’t bother me much knowing in my heart that everything has a purpose. (To my fellow readers, don’t worry I won’t overshare because I’m still feeling the need to share it privately.) I met the Lord through my grandfather who kept on reminding me to thank the Lord before and after the meal; before leaving the house; for his blessings in the family and through going to the mass. His words were sometimes kind, yet sometimes fearful. Yes, he came from an Armed Forces of the Philippines. He was such a tough man who became soft because of my lola’s kindness. I awe him some of my principles and faith. He was my Father-figure, because my father left us when I was innocently 6 years old. He was a man of discipline, of action and of rules. Yet, he can’t help to use his “yantok” to discipline us. It was the pain from my childhood. When I was a kid, I’d either felt thankful and fearful of him. He would sometimes challenge me if I was really bright in the class or not and I proved him that I was. And that’s how I trust more the LORD TODAY to heal my heart from all the pains that he brought me and my family. And I will confess that there were moments in my journey to my faith that I saw the Lord as kind yet sometimes cruel. That’s why I believe in the saying be careful with your words and actions for it may make or break you.

Anyway, he may be with the Lord now. I’m praying for his soul along with my lola. He still linger in my memories. He still stays in my heart. And in the moment I could meet him again in heaven, I’ll tell him: I love you. Thank you. Forgive me.

He died, after fulfilling his dreams to have a house in Bicol. He was too far from us but not with my aunt. He left us hanging and confuse of what will life awaits us. Yes, our finances came from his pension. He left me working hard for my mom and my sister. He left without sending notices. He left us crazy.

And in the very same place where he left us, I found a home in my Divine Father’s arms. He gently asked me not to bore hatred but to understand the situation. I wrote in my journals that I should be flexible and adjustable with the situation. I obeyed him. But mind you there were times that I failed to do so. He blessed me with faith in myself, family and work. Now, I’m working as a Video English teacher for Koreans. I experienced moving from one place to another thrice in a year, but in the kindness of the Lord, I can pay now our rent.
I’m maintaining my friendship with my old and new friends. I’m learning to prioritize things. I’m just a normal woman with dreams and talents. I’m also at times acting on impulse and craziness. I am who I am because of the learning that I lock in my heart and with God's mercy using His people. No more questions of, "What if lolo is still alive, how would our life w be?"

In relation to this, when I was 10 years old, this song Journey to the past became my favorite. I was a fan of Leah Salonga and the late-Aaliyah. I kept on singing this with my cassette tape and radio. It has a melody and lyrics that made me realize how journey can be tough, yet exciting. I had always dream of singing this with a big audience- BIG DREAMS ARE ALWAYS GREAT!=))

Looking at life as a whole and as a detailed one can make us think that LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL AND MASTERPIECE. LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT YET A BYPRODUCT OF YOUR PAST LEARNINGS-as the saying goes and as I edit it.